Sheryle Criswell

Bio: I was born Ohio; and I have since lived in New York, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida. Recently settled in Richmond, Virginia (I hope permanently), I share a very exciting life with my teacher/actor/director husband, Alan, and my dog, Jake (who we describes as a six-year-old boy in a poodle suit). We're thrilled to be able to live close to our children and grandchildren again.
After doing all the usual and expected things like college, marriage, children and the little white house in the suburbs, I was finally able to concentrate on my two passions, writing and theatre. I have been a Drama teacher for the past 20 years, having directed some 27 production involving children from K-8th grades. I have also been involved with community theatre for as many years, as a director, costume designer, and Board member.
Being so involved in all aspects of theatre, it is logical that my early writing would take the form of playwriting. Over the years I have won numerous awards for my plays, among them: the Southeastern (US) Theatre Conference New Play Award, and the Charlotte Repertory Theatre's Festival of New American Plays; and my plays have been produced across the US, in England, Wales, and Newfoundland/ Labrador.
In the past 5 years, my writing has begun to take me in a different direction, which has probably been the most rewarding creative endeavor thus far. BERNIE BOLTON'S BIG APPLE CHRISTMAS, will be the first of my BERNIE BOLTON BOOKS to be published, and BERNIE BOLTON'S BROTHER will be the second. I am thrilled to have found a home with WEE.

Bernice Blossom Bolton is nine and a half-years-old, and taking her first trip to New York City. After refusing to go to breakfast, because she is angry at not receiving any gifts on Christmas morning, she decides to leave the hotel and explore the city on her own. During her walk she encounters a number of interesting people, from the phony Santa guy ringing a bell on the corner of Fifth Avenue, to the kindly pretzel vendor, to the not-so-kind taxi driver who almost runs her over as she attempt... more info>>

Bernie Bolton was only a few short days from turning ten when disaster struck! As she baby-sat her stepbrother, Kirby, the worst possible thing happened. Worse even than getting Miss Boggs for fourth grade! As Kirby climbed a tree, and tried to touch the sky from the very highest branch--he fell! Afterwards he was in a deep sleep the doctors called "a coma". Bernie tried everything to wake him, from prayers, which she wasn't very good at, to intimidation, which she was, to loud Elvis music and p... more info>>

This is fifteen-year-old Hanna Berkenski's journey from her family's tiny apartment in the Warsaw Ghetto, through the awful night she spends in a cattle-car with her mother and sister, to her three years as a violinist in the welcoming orchestra at Auschwitz. The real horror begins as the train arrives at Auschwitz. Hanna's first impression is of a warm welcome because of the flowers and sunshine and music. She has been told she will be spending the next few weeks in a "work" camp until her fami... more info>>